Health A-Z

Colitis

Clinical Definition

Colitis is a medical condition that exhibits inflammation of the colon, whether caused by an inflammatory bowel disease, infection, or some other process.

In Our Own Words

Colitis is characterized by inflammation of the colon. There are many different kinds of colitis, including infectious colitis, ulcerative colitis, diverticular colitis, and radiation colitis. In ulcerative colitis, ongoing inflammation can lead to the development of sores or ulcers in the lining of the colon. The ulcers produce pus and mucus. Researches have not identified the cause of ulcerative colitis. An organism, such as Salmonella, causes infectious colitis. Radiation colitis can develop years after the pelvis is exposed to radiation in cancer treatment.